N13259:164
Sermons, on the following subjects
Sermons, on the following subjects; The manner in which salvation is to be sought. The unreasonableness of indetermination in religion. Unbelievers contemn the glory of Christ. The folly of looking back in fleeing out of Sodom. The warnings of Scripture in the best manner adapted to the awakening and conversion of sinners. Hypocrites deficient in the duty of prayer. The future punishment of the wicked unavoidable and intolerable. The eternity of hell-torments. The peace which Christ gives his true followers. The perpetuity & change of the Sabbath. / By the late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New-Jersey.
Hartford: printed by Hudson and Goodwin, 1780
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. THEY have no love to him on the account of his glory and excellency. If they did set any thing by all the glory and excellency of CHRIST, or if they saw any excellency or glory in CHRIST; they would have some measure of love to CHRIST. But the truth is, they see no form or comeliness in CHRIST, and hence they have no love at all to CHRIST: an unbeliever never exercises one act of true love to CHRIST. All that he is told of the glory of CHRIST, of his divine perfections, of his holiness, his meekness and grace, has no influence at all to draw forth any love. The display of these things doth no more draw forth love out of the heart of an unbeliever, than it draws forth love from the stones and rocks.
2. THEY have no love to him on the account of his glory and excellency. If they did set any thing by all the glory and excellency of CHRIST, or if they saw any excellency or glory in CHRIST; they would have some measure of love to CHRIST. But the truth is, they see no form or comliness in CHRIST, and hence they have no love at all to CHRIST: an unbeliever never exercises one act of true love to CHRIST. All that he is told of the glory of CHRIST, of his divine perfections, of his holiness, his meekness and grace, has no influence at all to draw forth any love. The display of these things doth no more draw forth love out of the heart of an unbeliever, than it draws forth love from the stones and rocks.
A NATURAL man hath no love of benevolence towards CHRIST. Notwithstanding all that is declared ⟨p. 64⟩to him of the excellency of CHRIST, he has no good will towards CHRIST. He rejoices not in his glory and happiness; he would not care what became of CHRIST, if he could but escape hell. If CHRIST should be dethroned, or made miserable, or should cease to be, he has not so much good will to CHRIST, as would make him concerned about it. And if the kingdom and interest of CHRIST in the world, should go to ruin, it would be no wise grievous to the unbeliever, provided his own interest could be secure.